I know there are many breeders that get their puppies microchipped prior to going to their new owners. Just wondering what is the minimum age you would have them done?
I've always considered 12 weeks to be earliest as I feel it's rather a large needle to be going into a young dog, however, I do need to microchip prior to registering my next litter.
Thanks for responses.

I've had litters (cocker spaniels) chipped at 6 weeks, they didn't flinch, in fact made less fuss than when I've had my own dogs chipped at 12 weeks

Usually microchip our GSD puppies at 7-8 weeks old

Thanks. Who chipped them? Vet or registered chipper (sorry, can't think what else to call someone licensed to microchip)?

i micro chip my pups the day they turn 8 weeks.i am registered to do it myself so do my own,you can go on a course and learn yourself.trust me it works out cheaper in the long run.

Ah actually can i retract that .........thats because i have large breed dogs.the puppies are a bit bigger than say a toy puppy so in that case if i had toy puppies to do id request them at 12 weeks.only because of the big size difference.

you can get a vet to do it a dog groomer or trainer dog breeder ect....a lot of people do it now.

Thanks, I've got a medium breed. I've been thinking of taking the course, partly at the request of someone else so I can help them in what they do, and also thinking about chipping my own pups.

go for it and the insurance a year is quite fair i think.its well worth doing i always chip dogs.i remember being so nervous the first time it was awful but the dog didnt batter an eye lid,THAT helped.and the best one to do is a cat.ill let you find that out for yourself.x
lol

I do at 8 weeks, the skin is so thin they barely feel it.

I've just changed my views. I used to say 6 weeks for large breeds but a bit later for small ones. However last week I chipped 3 six week old Papillon pups, tiny pups indeed, at the request of the owner, and it was absolutely no problem whatsoever. No difference to doing it later.

I've had 6 week old pups chipped (medium sized breed).  No problem at all.  Was dubious but had to get it done in order to get DNA swabs sent off.

Iv had small pups done at 5-6 weeks old not a problem

I chip for Dogs Trust and our insurance cover states dogs over 12 weeks old.

Here we have to have the pups chipped before they leave the breeder.
Which means we chip around 7 weeks, when they have their vet check.

Dog trust have done whole litters for me several times all at 7 weeks.. is this recent that it is 12 weeks?

The skin is so much thinner at 8 weeks that an older dog.. it just pops through the skin no problem. I have a white breed and rarely get a bleeder.

Thanks for replies. I've always been a bit concerned about chipping dogs too early, but, what with new ideas about dogs being compulsority chipped - and I believe a link back to the breeder should be there too - plus the need for chipping prior to registration certificates (my working registry) issued, then it's got to be done before pup leaves me. Put my mind at ease anyway as sounds as though there are no issues with chipping at 8 weeks, or less.